HPPH launches October vaccine clinics for high-risk individuals
Huron Perth, ON – HPPH has launched four October clinics offering COVID and influenza vaccinations to high-risk populations. The COVID vaccine offered will be the recently approved vaccine for protection against the COVID XBB variant.
These HPPH clinics are open to any of the following individuals, as long as it has been six months since a person’s last vaccine dose or confirmed COVID infection:
- Individuals at high-risk for influenza and/or COVID-19 related complications or hospitalization:
- Residents and staff of congregate living settings (e.g., chronic care facilities, retirement homes)
- Pregnant individuals
- Individuals ≥ 65 years of age
- All children 6 months to 4 years of age [influenza risk]
- Individuals who are from a First Nation, Inuit or Métis community, and/or who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis, and their household members
- Individuals 6 months of age and older with underlying health conditions per NACI (Influenza & COVID-19)
- Members of racialized and other equity deserving communities
- Health care workers and first responders
Proof of eligibility is not required at clinics. Individuals aged 6 months and over can receive a flu shot at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine.
The clinics will take place at the HPPH main sites:
- West Gore site: Tuesday Oct. 17 and Thursday, Oct. 26
- Clinton site: Thursday Oct. 19 and Tuesday, Oct. 24
Appointments must be booked. To book an appointment, please contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (or TTY: 1-866-797-0007 for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired).
Those eligible can also book online at www.ontario.ca/book-vaccine.
Free flu shots for the general public aged six months and older will be available starting October 30 at participating doctor and nurse practitioner offices, pharmacies and public health unit COVID-19 clinics. To learn more about the flu shot, visit Ontario.ca/flu.
Respiratory Season Information on HPPH website
HPPH has also launched a new section to provide information about the ongoing respiratory illness season. By visiting www.hpph.ca/illness, you can find information on the following:
- COVID-19 disease and vaccination information
- Influenza disease and vaccination information
- Guidance for childcare & schools
- Information for parents & caregivers
- How to reduce illness spread
- Respiratory illness data tools, including local information through provincial data tools.
As respiratory illness season continues, everyone is encouraged to use layers of protection to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses:
- Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots
- Wear a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in indoor public settings, especially anyone at higher risk of severe infection
- Screen daily for signs of illness and stay home when you are sick
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve
- Regularly clean and disinfect high touch surfaces like door knobs, toys, and counter tops
- Improve indoor ventilation
In addition, if you are at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19, know how you will access testing and available treatments. Speak with your primary care provider or pharmacist before you become ill. If you develop symptoms, get tested and seek care as soon as possible.
Eligible individuals can access PCR (molecular) testing at pharmacies and assessment centres. HPPH will also have rapid antigen tests (RATs) available for the public at our Clinton, West Gore and Festival Square offices during business hours, 8:30am to 4:30pm, and at the Listowel office on Fridays, 10am to 2pm.
Contact Us
Huron Perth Public Health
Huron Office
77722B London Road, RR #5, Clinton, ON
N0M 1L0
Perth Office
653 West Gore St., Stratford ON N5A 1L4
Toll-free 1-888-221-2133
askhpph@hpph.ca